Former Wildrose leader weighs in on PC Alberta leadership race

Former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith says she’s surprised both women in the PC Alberta leadership race have already dropped out of the contest, with one of them accusing a male rival of bringing “Trump-style politics” to Alberta.

Sandra Jansen cited harassment and intimidation as her reasons for suddenly throwing in the towel, while Donna Kennedy-Glans dropped out saying there’s no room for centrist discussions in the party.

“I have always felt like, for the Conservative coalition to succeed, it needs to embrace a broad spectrum,” remarked Smith. As broad as Jason Kenny and Sandra Jansen . . . should be able to be under the same tent if there’s going to be a large enough coalition to win. And the fact that she’s now saying that she’s facing bullying, intimidation and filth as she puts it on her social media pages — I think that’s not a good sign.”

Smith says it’s also not an encouraging sign with efforts underway to get more women to run for political office.

“So I hope it doesn’t dissuade people in hearing about how rough and tumble it can be to consider public life in that way. But all these kinds of stories when women feel like their being bullied — they’re being targeted — it doesn’t look good on the political scene.”

Smith says if you’re thinking about getting into politics, you have to get used to receiving a lot more criticism then acclaim. (Global News/td)

Comments

Sandra Jansen does not have what it takes to be a political leader. She actually is a left winger so was dreaming in technicolor if she really thought she had a chance to lead a right wing party. She often votes with the NDP in the legislature so should officially join that party.
And it is totally fashionable in this era to cast blame for one’s failures, and putting the blame on males is a sure way to create a news story.

Smith worries about women running for office. Having seen the examples she and Redford left with us, we all are worried about women running for office. Hopefully, in the future, some choose to run that aren’t driven by such self serving goals.

With the history that Danielle Smith has in politics, here opinion, based on her actions carries not weight with me or other conservative folks. The PC leadership should never be about gender but about leadership, some have that gene, some do not.
I will be looking for a credible personality to lead the party forward.

Interesting to hear anything political from Smith. She could have been premier if she hadn’t crossed the floor, and this just weeks after chastising some of her WR brethren for doing the same. Looks good on you now!

That’s funny, Danielle Smith commenting on politics being “too dirty” for some women. Obviously not too dirty for her though…..abandoning and selling out her supporters with a back room deal when she left the Wild Rose party to join the PC’s! Geeze Danielle….. you would be premier of Alberta TODAY if you had a shred of integrity and stood your ground as leader of the Wild Rose!! I supported you! But, like most politicians you just proved you are opportunists looking out for #1. Well…. Albertans deserve better than you and your kind. We need a leader not afraid to make the tough decisions…. and if things get tough, stand their ground! If these female candidates can’t handle the mudslinging etc, then maybe they should withdraw. But by implying their withdrawal sends a negative message to women…..what garbage!! The message is….. We need a strong leader, who can stand up to the crap and rise above it….who is not afraid to do what’s best for all Albertans…. put Alberta first!!! Not yourself! Good bye Danielle….. the less we see and hear from you, the better….

This article is NOT about Danielle guys, its about her opinion on being a ‘female in politics’ regarding the two female PC candidates dropping out of the PC leadership race.

The problem with Sandra Jansan IS Sandra Jansen – period!.
When she entered this race she came in swinging – expressing her harsh opinions towards her fellow PC campaign-mates – so if she can dish it out she dang-well better be able to take it!

Sandra’s allegations are just that, allegations, as she clearly came out of the gate into this race as a shirt-disturber towards the PC’s.
She holds NO relevancy as a troublemaker – lets call it what it is.
This is NOT personal Sandra Jansan – its business as Ms Rona Ambrose has what it take for leadership!
JMHO
@Lara